HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday in January, is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister, and social activist, became a notable figure during the U.S. civil rights movement from the mid-1950s.
King, who was assassinated in 1968, helped end the legal segregation of African American citizens in the U.S. and influenced the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among other honors.
Dr. King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. In 1948, he graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and in 1951, he graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary. While working against the prevalent segregation of the time, in 1957 King became president of the new Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was featured on the cover of Time magazine.
In 1977, Dr. King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter, and in 1983, King’s birthday was declared a federal holiday by President Ronald Reagan. In 1994, the King Holiday and Service Act was passed by Congress, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a National Day of Service, a day when all Americans are encouraged to volunteer to improve their communities.
The purpose of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is to commemorate, honor, and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy as an advocate for non-violent activism and equal social opportunity for all. The Air Force continues its efforts to maintain a culture of diversity and inclusion among its ranks. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
In honor of King’s vision, every January, Americans across the country organize service-related events, which help to make their communities more equitable. Service members from all branches of the military dedicate time and efforts each year to volunteer in their communities.
Volunteer opportunity
On Jan. 16, Hill Air Force Base will join the nation in the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by dedicating this day to performing acts of civil service in our community. The Team Hill Special Observance Council is looking for motivated personnel from diverse career fields and backgrounds to volunteer at the Hill AFB Commissary located at 7451 6th St., building 400.
Individuals can sign up for the following Jan. 16 shifts:
6-10 a.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
1-5 p.m.
As a token of appreciation, the commissary is raffling off two radio-controlled monster trucks to its volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility office at 75ABW.DEIA.Workflow@us.af.mil.
Whether it's this volunteer opportunity or another in your local community, please consider looking for an opportunity to serve and reflect. To find community-based volunteer opportunities near you, visit one of these websites and search your zip code: JustServe.org, PointsofLight.org, or VolunteerMatch.org.